Somatic state assessment of the health of patients with retinoblastoma in a long-term follow-up

AIM: To comprehensively assess the incidence and nature of the chronic diseases in patients with retinoblastoma in the long-term follow-up

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study analyzed the long-term treatment results of 176 patients with retinoblastoma. Group 1 included 46 patients aged <18 years and Group 2 included 88 patients aged >18 and <35 years. A gynecologist and a urologist were consulted, a medical history was taken, and a physical examination with emphasis on the presence of secondary sexual characteristics and laboratory tests were performed to assess the endocrine function in surviving patients aged <18 years. Anamnestic data were used in patients aged >18 years.

RESULTS: The somatic status data analysis of 46 surviving adolescents revealed that 29 (63%) have abnormalities. Chronic gastritis and gastroduodenitis, biliary dyskinesia, fatty hepatosis, and lactase deficiency predominate in gastrointestinal structure diseases. Respiratory diseases are represented by chronic nasopharyngeal diseases in 13.0% of children. Secondary immunodeficiency condition was diagnosed in 3 (6.5%) patients. Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue pathologies in deforming dorsopathies were identified in 10.9% of cases and bone and joint pain were identified in 8.7%. Chronic conditions were found in 42 (47.7%) of 88 patients in Group 2. Somatic disorders were found in 95.2%, hormonal disorders in 11.9%, psycho-emotional disorders in 9.5%, and combined pathology in 9.5% of cases. Endocrine pathology was detected in 14 patients (30.4%) aged <18 years.

CONCLUSION: Retinoblastoma survivors have a high risk of somatic and endocrine disorders. The main risk factors are distance radiation therapy and alkylating agents. Regular lifelong follow-up of these patients is necessary to establish a medical rehabilitation system for children with retinoblastoma.